Page 8 of Babe's Bounty

“How about you and I share a room? I’ll take the couch or the floor and you can have the bed. If anyone makes a move on you, I’ll be there to put a stop to it.”

“And if you’re not around?” Babe opens his mouth before closing it. “You expect me to stay in the room when you’re not around, don’t you?”

He shrugs. “It would help if you’d do that. Look, maybe once everyone knows you’re with me, this will no longer be a problem.”

I glance away from him and stare out the window while I take ten slow breaths. When those don’t calm me down, I take another ten before turning back to him.

“Do you hear what you’re asking me to do?” I say in the quietest voice I can manage. “You’re asking me to suppress my needs, my feelings, and my self-respect in order to placate the egos of a bunch of men? I won’t do it. You asking me to do this makes me think I don’t know you as well as I thought I did. Once the plane lands, I’ll give you a choice. Either I stay in a hotel or I get on the next plane back to San Diego and you’ll never see me again.”

I don’t wait for his response. After putting in my headphones, I turn away from Babe and stare out the window again. When I first met Babe, I saw him as a player. I was right, according to Ghost. Babe never stayed with one woman for longer than a weekend. It’s why I didn’t hop into bed with him. Why we never got past the flirting stage. We had time to get to know each other. Working together as bounty hunters came from several long discussions about our skill sets and the changes in both our lives. Babe’s club didn’t need him as an Enforcer as often as they used to because they were transitioning out of the money-lending business. They still lent money, but now they were less mercenary.

While I loved teaching martial arts, I often felt trapped. Before the dojo burned down, my dad and I were the only teachers. He needed me there to share the load. After the cop we’re chasing burned down our business, Ghost came up with a proposal to have the Demon Dawgs build and run a fitness center with my dad teaching self-defense courses. Since he didn’t have to shoulder the rent money, he didn’t need me as much. I still teach, but I get to choose the courses and set a schedule. My preference is to teach women, young and old, how to defend themselves.

Bounty hunting gave me a chance to do something different. Something a little more exciting. But, I don’t need to work with Babe or for the Demon Dawgs if they think I’m less because I’m a woman.

To give Babe credit, he didn’t push me to change my mind. He didn’t argue his case further or defend his brothers. He didn’t insist on going along with his original suggestion, either. I realize that his lack of communication likely means he’s written me off. If that’s the case, then so be it.

As the plane makes its descent, Babe places his hand on mine and squeezes it. “You’re right. I didn’t think, well, that’s it really. I didn’t think. The last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable. If you want to stay at a hotel, we’ll stay at a hotel. However, we need to go to the clubhouse first to see if they’ve learned anything while we were in the air.”

I consider his request and nod. “I’ll go with you to the clubhouse, but I won’t put up with anyone touching me. They can make comments, but no touching. I’ll take down anyone who tries.”

To my surprise, Babe chuckles. “I hear ya, loud and clear.”

When the plane lands, he and I are the last ones off. With his bulk, he could probably have pushed his way through the crowd, but I’m glad he didn’t. I’m not quite ready to meet his brothers from another club.

Since we only have our duffle bags and no checked luggage, we head straight outside, where we’re met by a line of nine motorcycles and eight bikers. Babe walks ups to the man with the word President on his kutte. They do the bro-hug and I think Babe calls him Chrome. After Babe greets the rest of the men, he turns toward me and gestures for me to join them.

I step forward reluctantly. Regardless of my proclamation that I’d take out anyone who touches me, I can admit to myself that the thought of being alone with these unknown bikers is scaring me a little. I feel safe with Babe’s club back in San Diego, but the way Babe described this club has me questioning my abilities. I can take down one man, but what if it’s more than one?

“This is my partner, Min. She’s hands off unless you want to be on the receiving end of a beat down. First by her and then by me. Capisce?”

“Damn, Babe, when did you stop sharing?” the man next to Chrome jokes. His kutte has VP above the name Scorch.

“Shut it,” Chrome says with a side-eye toward his VP. When Chrome puts out his hand, I shake it and give him a small smile. His calloused hand feels rough against my skin, but that’s not unexpected. I know from Babe that Chrome and his club own several auto and motorcycle repair shops. It’s the primary way they earn their money. They’re the best in Chicago and not only repair cars and motorcycles, but they offer customized paint and upgrades. Babe said they have advanced bookings for up for two years.

Chrome releases my hand and pats me on the back, almost as if I was one of the guys. This makes me chuckle. Even though he works primarily indoors, Chrome has the weathered features of someone who spends several hours a day in the sun. He’s pulled his black hair into a ponytail, with a bandana wrapped around his forehead.

“Let’s get going,” Chrome says, tossing Babe a set of keys. “That bike on the end is yours while you’re here. Had the prospect bring it.” Chrome waves toward an SUV that’s idling nearby.

I follow Babe to the bike and wait while he stows my duffle bag in the saddle along with his.

“We may need a car,” I remind Babe.

“I know. I’ll take care of it. In the meantime, just enjoy the ride.”

CHAPTER FIVE: BABE

I could deck Scorch for mentioning my preference for sharing. Especially since he wasn’t lying. The last time I was in Chicago, Scorch and I shared a woman I picked up at a bar. She was hot and ready for biker dick. The more the merrier. Her name was Lydia. She had long blonde hair that she loved having pulled as I impaled her from behind. I’m surprised my dick isn’t responding to the memories of that night, but when I swing my leg over the bike. I don’t even have to adjust myself. That changes when Min wraps her arms and legs around me.

That’s when my dick stands at attention.

The ride to the clubhouse is an enjoyable and painful experience. Feeling Min’s firm tits pressed against my back and the heat of her pussy on my ass is euphoric. Riding has always been the most freeing experience, but this ride feels like I’ve come home. Min has her own bike, so she’s the perfect riding partner. We’re in-synch with our movements, leaning into the turns as if we’ve practiced the move a thousand times. My hand itches to slide up and down her thigh, but I settle for giving it a squeeze as we follow Chrome and his men through Chicago.

Too soon, we’re pulling up in front of the clubhouse outside Whiting. I hold the bike upright as Min grips my shoulder and swings off. I’m already missing the feel of her behind me. Grabbing our bags, I take Min’s hand and walk inside.

The Chicago clubhouse used to be a furniture factory. Brown brick covers the exterior with a mural painted on the side. Most of the mural has faded with age, but you can still make out a few letters of Anderson & Sons. Under the mural, Chrome’s predecessor had the Demon Dawg logo painted in white and black. The previous President gutted the inside so all that remains of the mill is the concrete floor and the outside walls. The common area is about the same size as the one in San Diego, but as I recall, the rooms are smaller. Staying at a hotel sounds more appealing the longer I consider it.

I lead Min to the bar and help her hop up on a stool. “Order something if you want,” I tell her before turning my attention to the prospect behind the bar. He looks like he’s sixteen. Fuck, I’m getting old. “You keep your eyes on her and your hands off. If anyone bothers her, tell them that Babe will be happy to show them the error of their ways.” I see Min’s eyebrow go up, so I rectify my directive. “After she’s kicked their ass.”

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